Meet the App Fairy

by Carissa ChristnerMarch 6, 2017

Everyone knows that books have authors and artwork is made by artists, but have you ever stopped to think about the people working behind the scenes to create some of the best children’s apps? Allow me to introduce you to some of today’s cutting edge media creators in my new podcast, App Fairy! For the past several years, I’ve been using apps in my library programs and during that time, I’ve had many opportunities to e-mail questions to various app developers. I’ve discovered that, unlike most authors who must be contacted through an agent, many times when I contact app developers, I receive a direct response from the same person who actually made the app! I thought that maybe others would like to get to know them a little better too, just like I have through these e-mail conversations, and so, with the help of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, I’ve created this podcast series to do just that.

Each App Fairy episode will include a “meet the author” style interview and maybe even a few questions from kids. You’ll get a better idea of what really goes into creating a great app, plus I’ll include research-based tips about using apps with kids.

The pilot episode, released this week, features an interview with Anne Glick, creator of the app, One Globe Kids. This interview was originally recorded in April 2016 and although it’s taken a little time to get the podcast running, I think you’ll love hearing about how Anne decided to create One Globe Kids and the amazing research that supports her app. You can also find an abbreviated transcript of the episode here.

Be sure to check out the website at appfairy.org, where you’ll be able to listen to every episode. There you can also find photos from the app developers, download free printable activity sheets, and maybe even watch a short video of the App Fairy herself interviewing app makers on location. You can also submit questions, feedback, or recommendations of your favorite app makers to the App Fairy through the website. The podcast can also be found on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn.

This series was created with parents and librarians in mind, but I hope kids might enjoy listening as well. I’d love to know what you think! Please consider writing a review to help more people discover the App Fairy.

Carissa Christner works as a Youth Services Librarian in Madison, Wisconsin which she likes much better than her first job in high school, working at a theme park. She and her two young children love to test out new apps together, read books and go for walks in the woods. She blogs about her library adventures at librarymakers.blogspot.com. Check out the App Fairy website and follow along on Twitter at @appfairy.

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Thanks to the Cooney Center for hosting Carissa’s work! You might not believe this but just today (March 9) I was talking with one of my students about the difficulties in finding a resource about apps. Of course, I’m well aware of Carissa’s work but having these podcasts about the designers and likening them to getting to know book authors, is brilliant and very useful.